1 APRIL 1949, Page 20

LIVES OF GREAT MEN

Sra,—Mr. Harold Nicolson's . retraction of his remarks on Sir, Arthur Conan Doyle does credit to his heart, but the principles he appears to be recommending are rather questionable. Is it suggested that before a journalist attributes an uninteresting mind to any deceased public figure be is under an obligation to find out whether he or she has any sons or daughters (or grandsons ;or granddaughters) who. are.- still alive and likely to read the statement? Or does the rule apply only to those who have the further qualifications of nobility of character and service. to good causes? We had better say that everyone who has died within the last hundred years was a person of the highest genius, charm and integrity, and leave